Portrait of a North Korean Defector for Liberation
A portrait assignment by french newspaper Liberation of a North Korean defector: Kim Il-hyuk. He defected in 2023 and tells the story of North Korea during Covid 19 - a rare view inside the closed up state, full story here in French.
Tim Franco is available for portrait assignment in South Korea and the rest of Asia.
Choi Sang-mok - South Korea's acting President for the WSJ
On Tuesday, I had the unique opportunity to photograph Acting President Choi Sang-mok for The Wall Street Journal. Assuming office on December 27, 2024, following the impeachments of President Yoon Suk-yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Choi faces the formidable task of steering South Korea through a period of significant political upheaval.
One of the pressing challenges confronting Acting President Choi is managing the nation's foreign relations amid escalating global trade tensions. Despite President Trump's escalating tariffs on various countries, Choi is striving to maintain strong ties with the U.S. With South Korea running a significant trade surplus with the U.S., concerns arise that Trump may target it next with tariffs. Choi seeks to negotiate directly with Trump but faces challenges due to his temporary status. As Trump accuses South Korea of having unfair trade practices, Choi aims to assure the U.S. of the surplus's temporary nature and offer collaboration in shipbuilding. South Korea's significant investments in the U.S. reflect its commitment to strengthening economic ties, but the uncertainty of Choi's tenure and impending decisions from South Korea's Constitutional Court add to the urgency of stabilizing the U.S.-South Korea relationship.
Domestically, Choi's administration is on high alert as the Constitutional Court prepares to deliver its verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The court's decision, expected in the coming days, could either reinstate Yoon or permanently remove him from office, potentially triggering further political polarization and public unrest. In anticipation, the government has vowed strict measures against any illegal protests to maintain public order.
Navigating these complex issues, Acting President Choi Sang-mok remains committed to upholding South Korea's democratic processes and ensuring stability during this transitional period.
Keum Suk Gendry-Kim for Le Monde
A couple weeks ago, I was assigned to take a portrait of Keum Suk Gendry-Kim, the South Korean coming book artist who explores the themes of war, trauma, North Korea etc… I met her at her home on the Ganghwa island where I photographed her in her studio house. Here are some the photos.
I am a portrait and commercial photographer based out of Seoul - South Korea
Lee Jae-Myung for the Wall Street Journal
A few days after the martial law declaration in South Korea, I was assigned by the Wall Street Journal to take the portrait of Lee Jae-Myung, the leader of the Democratic Party and main opponent to the conservative party. Not only has he is led the movement to impeach President Yoon Seok-Yeol, but he is the most likely candidate to take over the presidency in the next elections. We came to the National Assembly which still had signs of the recent attempted coup with broken doors and windows. I only had a few minutes for that portrait in the main debate room of the democratic party which had a giant poster calling for the impeachment.
Tim Franco is available for portraits and editorial assignments all over Asia
Park Seo-joon for Chanel
Some portraits of Park Seo-Joon for Chanel in November at their new Ice Rink in Seoul, South Korea. I have also documented the Ice Rink and the decor around it!
Tim Franco is available for photography assignments all over Asia. Tim is a Seoul-based photographer with access to production facilities in China, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Japan.
South Korea Martial Law declaration [ news ]
On 3 December 2024, at 22:27 Korea Standard Time (KST), Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, declared martial law during a televised address. In his declaration, Yoon accused the Democratic Party (DPK), which has a majority in the National Assembly, of conducting "anti-state activities" and collaborating with "North Korean communists" to destroy the country, thereby creating a "legislative dictatorship". The order prohibited political activities, including gatherings of the National Assembly and local legislatures, and suspended the free press. Separately, Yoon reportedly ordered the arrest of various political opponents, including the leaders of the DPK and his own People Power Party (PPP). This event was widely characterized by Korean politicians and news organizations, both international and domestic, as an attempted self-coup.
Around 11 pm that same day, I drove to the National Assembly to document the events as they happened. A few minutes after I joined the protestors in front of the gates, I witnessed the army helicopters landing on the roof of the National Assembly. Even thou between the protesters, the police, and the military, the situation was chaotic, people remained mostly calm. A few hours later, the assembly voted against the martial law and 10 days later, the president was impeached.
Some of my footage on ABC news
North Korean Military Defectors for the WSJ
When North Korea decided to send its troops to Ukraine to help the Russian Army, the Wall Street Journal interviewed two ex-military defectors about this strategy. I was assigned to portray them. The full story written by Dasl Yoon is available here. Below are two of my portraits.
Tim Franco is a portrait photographer & commercial photographer based between South Korea, China & France.
Moka Lee Portraits for Artsy
Last August I met Moka Lee, a young South Korean painter was who was profile by Artsy . We shot a few portraits in her studio in downtown Seoul, South Korea. Here are some of those photos.
Tim Franco is available for editorial & commercial portrait assignments in Korea, China, Japan and all over the Asia Pacific region.
Blackpink Jennie and Jeon Yeobin for Chanel
A few portraits shot for Chanel in Seoul South Korea for the release of their new Coco Crush collection. I had the chance to portray Kpop superstar and Blackpink member Jennie as well as South Korean actress 전여빈 [ Jeon Yeobin ] in a super environment.
Jennie from Kpop band Blackpink for Chanel
Actress 전여빈 [ Jeon Yeobin ] for Chanel
Tim Franco is a photographer based in Seoul South Korea and operates in great asia on commercial photographic assignment.
Dior Beauty Korea Travel
In early December 2022, influencer Lily Mac and Tara Milk Tea from Australia came to Seoul to visit the special holiday pop-up store by Dior Beauty. I was hired by Dior and Harper’s Bazaar to follow the pair during their trip in the South Korea Capital. The photos resulted in a story published here. Here are more of the photos
If you are looking for a photographer to shoot fashion, beauty, commercial and editorial portraits in Seoul, South Korea, please get in touch with Tim Franco timfranco@gmail.com
Ami Fashion Show in Seoul
During the 2022 Seoul Fashion Week, the brand Ami produced a stunning fashion show in downtown Seoul. I had the chance to document this unique event. Here are some of the images
If you are looking for a photographer to cover fashion and luxury events in Seoul, Korea or greater Asia, get in touch timfranco@gmail.com
Lee Sung-kyung for Chanel
Lee Sung-kyung is a South Korean model, actress, singer and Chanel Beauty Ambassador. I had the chance to work with her on numerous occasion. Those photos were taken a couple years back. I think it was actually the first time I photographed her.
Tim Franco is a portrait and documentary photographer covering fashion and luxury commercial celebrity photoshoots in South Korea and great Asia. Please get in touch if his services are needed!
Porsche Korea | Editorial
A small assignment for the official Porsche Magazine in Seoul
Tim Franco is an Asia based photographer available for commercial and editorial photography assignment in the entire region. Please fee to get in touch!
Feature in Figaro Madame
Portraits of South Korean Women for Madame Figaro.
Last month, I followed fellow journalist and friend Sebastien Falletti for a story about status of Women in South Korea. I portrayed a KPOP singer ( Kim Yerim aka Lim Kim ), as well as brand owners and activist. The story was published in Figaro madame in December.
Tim Franco is Seoul based photographer available for editorial assignment in South Korea and Asia.
Dior Retail | South Korea Photographer
For the past year, Dior has been working in partnership with me to photograph their new store in South Korea. I have been shooting architecture, interior and retail photography professionally for the past 10 years and I was glad to work with one of the best name in the luxury industry. Here are some of the photos.
Tim Franco is a Seoul based architecture photographer who specialises in high end luxury retail photography. He is available in South Korea and greater Asia ( China / Japan / Taiwan & Hong Kong ) for retail and architecture assignments.
Chanel | Korea, Japan & China Photographer
Chanel has been working with me for the last 2 years in the Asia region for their digital content. Most of the shoot are with local and international celebrities who are wearing or using Chanel products. I had the chance to work in 3 different countries , Japan, South Korea and China to cover those assignments. Its always a pleasure to work with such a great name in the industry, a luxury and fashion brands that still bring sparkles in people’s yes. Here are some of those photos:
Pharrell Williams performing in Tokyo
Nana Komatsu
Lee Dong-wook
shin min ah
Kristen Stewart
Soo Joo Park
Chanel Flagship Store in Seoul South Korea
Camp Humphrey | South Korea
Life in Camp Humphrey, the biggest American Military base in Asia.
A while ago, I was assigned by NBC to shoot a story at Camp Humphrey, the biggest American Military base in Asia. It is a two hour drive south from Seoul and its slowly replacing the Yongsan based which was located in downtown Seoul. I have spent a day on the base and we had a great access as the local football high-school team was playing against another base ( Okinawa ). The base looks like any suburban American city with its shopping malls, fast foods, trucks etc… Here are some of the photos shot during that assignment.
Amore Pacific | Seoul Photographer
Seoul photographer documenting the Amore Pacific Building in South Korea.
Last july, I was assigned by Monocle magazine to document the work life of Amore Pacific new headquarter in Seoul. For those who are not familiar with it, Amore Pacific is a South Korea conglomerate focusing on cosmetics and beauty, its hugely popular on the Asian market and its making its debut in the west. I got the chance to hang out and photograph their amazing building design by David Chipperfield. I have also photographed their CEO Suh Kyon-bae and followed some staff during their daily schedule. Here are some of the photos.
Tim Franco is a Seoul Photographer available for commercial and editorial assignment in South Korea.
Pullman China | Asia Hotel Photographer
Last winter, I was assigned by Accor to shoot one their newest hotel in Inner Mongolia. The Pullman was located in the city of Baotou, at the gates of the Gobi Desert. The photos will be used by the Accor group for marketing and commercial purposes. Here are some of those images:
Tim Franco is a commercial photographer based between Seoul and Shanghai. For more information please get in touch at timfranco@gmail.com
Seoul Watch Fashion | South Korea Photographer
On my latest assignment for the New York Times, I have been asked to photographs Seoul watch owners for a story. It was a great opportunity to shoot street portraits with natural lighting the way I was doing it long time ago when I started shooting bands in Shanhgai. I really enjoyed the locations in the backstreet of the Gangnam district. You can see the full stories and photos here : https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/17/fashion/watches-seoul-street-style.html
Tim Franco is a Seoul, South Korea based photographer who travels for assignment all around the Asia region. He works on commercial and editorial assignments.